A descendant of the Fairbairn-Sykes combat knife, the V-42 Stiletto was designed with input from members of the First Special Service Force, the joint American/Canadian arctic and mountain warfare unit that is considered one of the forefathers of modern American Special Forces. The stiletto measures 12 1/2 inches overall with a 7 3/8 inch double edged, hollow ground blade showing the signature serrated "thumbprint" on the ricasso above "CASE". The alloy guard is fitted with a thick leather finger pad on the underside with a ribbed leather washer grip and distinctive "skull crusher" pommel. The brown leather sheath is in the original SSF-style "long drop" configuration, with staple and rivet reinforcement. Fine, the blade showing mostly a grey patina with a few scattered patches of light pitting and oxidation, and the grip very fine with minimal wear. The sheath is very good with some mild wear and some light oxidation on metal components. Provenance: The Steven Preston Military Collection